Interspecific competition in bats and diet shifts in response to white‐nose syndrome

Abstract Since the introduction of white‐nose syndrome ( WNS ) in North America, numerous species of bat have dwindled in numbers. These declines observed are often species‐specific and thus provides opportunity for a natural experiment to test for shifts in diet through relaxed resource partitioning in bat communities post‐introduction of WNS . Acoustic monitoring at locations in Southern Ontario pre‐ (2009–2011) and post‐ WNS (2012–2014) introduction showed an increase in activity of big brown bats ( Eptesicus fuscus ) corresponding to a decline in the activity of little brown bats ( Myotis lucifugus ). Next‐generation sequencing of bat stomachs and guano in Southern Ontario before and after WNS allowed for the characterization of diet changes of these species. Post‐ WNS , E. fuscus consumed a wider breadth of prey and many of the insect species once consumed by M. lucifugus , including several pest insects. These results suggest that the introduction of WNS has resulted in relaxed interspecific competition within these bat communities in Southern Ontario.

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